Dreaming is a natural human experience, nature’s way to restore psychological balance. Dreams inspire invention and creative expression and evoke deeply personal spiritual experiences. This conference explores dreaming from diverse perspectives — from neuroscience to psychology to spirituality to arts and culture. We hope to inform and inspire dreamers of all ages and backgrounds, as well as those who use dreams in their work, such as therapists, pastors, artists, writers, musicians, and medical practitioners.

IASD and Hosts Benjamin Whitehurst (Durham, NC) and Deborah Armstrong (Greenville, SC) welcome you to join with the growing southern network of dreamers at this two-day conference. Beginning Friday morning with workshops on exploring your own dreams (see partial listing below), you will hear world-class speakers and delve into a full lineup of special events and workshops. Keynotes and symposium topicsinclude: the science and psychology of dreaming, lucid dreaming, dreaming as an ‘experience in being’, dreamwork in spiritual organizations, and dreamwork in southern US culture. This is not just a talking conference — there is a full line of experiential dreamwork and arts workshops. You will also have opportunities to meet and relax with your fellow dreamers at several dream-themed special events: a short-film festival, a visual art exhibition, a live theatrical performance, and a special drumming circle/ecstatic dance event on Friday night!

CEs will be offered for certain sessions; IASD is the provider of CE Credits, and is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. IASD maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.

IASD encourages its members to host regional meetings and co-sponsored events, and IASD will provide logistical and financial support to promote such events.

The benefits of regional meetings and co-sponsored events are twofold. First, they help IASD members in a particular geographical region to meet each other, socialize, network, and share their different approaches to dreams. Second, they help to advance the basic mission of IASD, which is to broaden public awareness and appreciation of dreams.

Although these are the primary goals, another aim is to generate new funds for IASD's educational and outreach programs